# Thermage in Seoul > Thermage FLX in Seoul: how monopolar radiofrequency skin tightening works, who it suits, how Seoul prices are quoted, what recovery involves, and how it compares with Ultherapy and XERF. ## What should you know before Thermage? Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/ Updated: 2026-10-24 Thermage FLX in Seoul is a non-invasive monopolar radiofrequency skin-tightening treatment. A Seoul clinic price list gives a Thermage FLX range of KRW 1,000,000–2,600,000 per session. The final amount depends on the tip and treatment plan; Eye Thermage is quoted separately. [Delight Dermatology Clinic price list](https://hifuseoul.com/pricing/#price-pricing-1-pricing-2). Most patients resume usual activity the same day, though temporary warmth, pinkness, tenderness or mild swelling can occur. Published monopolar RF studies assess gradual change over months, but do not establish a universal peak or fixed one-to-two-year duration; visibility and persistence vary. [Thermage treatment details: Delight Dermatology Clinic](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/thermage-seoul/). ### How to choose a Thermage clinic in Seoul Compare the treating clinician's qualifications, the Thermage FLX device and tip, the consultation plan, the price inclusions, and the aftercare contact. Ask each clinic these questions before booking. - Clinician credentials: Who will assess you and perform the treatment? Check their dermatology qualifications and experience with Thermage. - [Device and tip](https://thermage-seoul.com/what-is-thermage/): Confirm the device is Thermage FLX, ask which tip will be used, and ask how the clinic verifies both are genuine. - [Personal suitability](https://thermage-seoul.com/candidates-and-contraindications/): An in-person consultation should cover your skin concerns, medical and treatment history, expected benefits, limitations, and risks. - [Price inclusions](https://thermage-seoul.com/pricing-seoul/): Request an itemized quote with the treatment areas, tip, and planned pulses. Ask whether consultation, pain management, and follow-up are included. - [Aftercare contact](https://thermage-seoul.com/aftercare-downtime/): Before booking, ask who to contact if you have concerns after treatment, including after you leave Seoul. ### Eye Thermage Eye Thermage in Seoul, the FLX Eye Tip for periorbital and eyelid skin: how it differs from face Thermage, session length, and Seoul pricing. Figure: An amber-red glow spreads through cream and charcoal waves. ### Thermage in one paragraph Thermage is a non-invasive skin-tightening treatment that uses monopolar capacitive radiofrequency (RF) to heat the dermal layer of the skin in a controlled way. The latest device generation, Thermage FLX, is manufactured by Solta Medical (Bausch Health). It uses an AccuREP system that measures tissue impedance pulse-by-pulse and adjusts the delivered energy in real time, and a vibrating handpiece designed to support comfort during treatment. Published monopolar RF studies document gradual change during their follow-up windows. They do not establish one response timeline or duration for every patient; maintenance is considered only after reassessing the individual result. Figure: Cream and charcoal layers curve around an orange-red band on the right. ### About the medical reviewer The medical reviewer is a Korean Board-Certified Dermatologist. Read the [reviewer credentials](https://thermage-seoul.com/about-the-clinician/). Figure: Seoul cityscape at night, broad context image ### Why patients come to Seoul for Thermage Patients may consider Seoul because it offers access to dermatology clinics that use several energy-based modalities. City-level device availability does not prove an individual clinician's experience or treatment volume, so patients should verify the treating clinician's credentials, the authentic device and the proposed tip, pulse and treatment-area plan. ### What a consultation looks like The in-person examination confirms candidacy, tip, pulse count and the final plan. See [the consultation and planning steps](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/thermage-seoul/#procedure-process). ### Where Thermage fits, and where it does not Thermage is well suited to mild and moderate dermal laxity, to body areas such as the abdomen, inner arms, knees and thighs where lifting devices are less effective, and to patients who prefer a single-session treatment with a gradual result. Thermage may improve firmness and soften some wrinkles, but it does not reliably remove deep lines or replace a surgical lift. The [candidates page](https://thermage-seoul.com/candidates-and-contraindications/) details the contraindications, including the important one for patients with pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators or other metal implants in the treatment area. ## About the Medical Reviewer Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/about-the-clinician/ Updated: 2026-10-24 The medical reviewer is a Korean Board-Certified Dermatologist. ### Credentials Korean Board-Certified Dermatologist. Full specialist board certification in dermatology under the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare system. This is the baseline qualification for any dermatology specialist practicing in Korea and is the credential a patient should confirm whenever choosing a clinic for a procedure of this kind. ### How to confirm Before treatment, confirm the treating doctor's Korean specialist certification through the relevant registry. Figure: A broad red-orange ribbon curves between charcoal layers and fine gold lines. ## Aftercare and Downtime After Thermage Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/aftercare-downtime/ Updated: 2026-10-18 Many people resume normal activity the same day, but recovery varies. Temporary redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness or bruising can occur. Clinical evidence at a glance - A retrospective review of more than 600 older-protocol treatments reported erythema and edema as the most common immediate effects; it does not provide a current FLX incidence estimate (Weiss et al., 2006, [PMID 16989184](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16989184/)). - A separate retrospective series of 757 treatments in 290 patients documented burns and less frequent reactions; its older tip and energy protocol should not be treated as a current FLX rate (de Felipe et al., 2007, [PMID 17760693](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17760693/)). - A 2022 systematic review found that most reported RF complications were minor and transient, while noting that major complication rates were higher for monopolar than bipolar devices in the included literature (Rohrich et al., 2022, [PMID 35877937](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35877937/)). ### What should I watch for after Thermage? #### Common temporary reactions Redness, warmth, mild swelling, tenderness and sometimes bruising can occur. Check that they are settling. #### Contact the treating clinic promptly Report a blister, visible burn or scab, persistent color change, new numbness or weakness, a new dent or lump, or a symptom that is worsening or not settling as expected. #### Use emergency services For breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, or another severe or rapidly worsening symptom, seek local emergency care. Thermage recovery and downtime timeline | Phase | What to expect | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | | Common temporary reactions | Redness, warmth, mild swelling, tenderness and sometimes bruising can occur. | Follow the treating clinician's instructions and check that symptoms are settling. | | Prompt clinic review | A blister, visible burn or scab, persistent color change, new numbness or weakness, a dent or a lump is not routine recovery. | Contact the treating clinic promptly; messaging is for non-urgent follow-up only. | | Emergency care | Breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, or another severe or rapidly worsening symptom needs urgent assessment. | Use local emergency services rather than waiting for a message reply. | | Following months | Published studies describe gradual collagen remodeling, but no single peak applies to everyone. | Assess change consistently and follow the skincare plan agreed with the treating clinician. | | Longer follow-up | Visibility and persistence vary; studies do not establish one fixed duration. | Consider maintenance only after individual follow-up and assessment. | Thermage is a same-day treatment. Most patients walk out of the clinic and back to their schedule without an obvious cosmetic change visible to other people. The recovery profile is mild for the majority of patients, but there are real things to watch for and there are aftercare habits that protect the result while the dermal remodeling is taking place. ### How long is Thermage downtime? Normal activity often resumes the same day. Warmth and redness may last for hours, while swelling or tenderness can persist longer. Follow the treating clinician’s aftercare instructions. If your question is about what comes before the session (recent Botox, fillers in the area, or pregnancy), see [Thermage timing questions](https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-timing-questions/). ### Immediately after the session The skin is typically pink to mildly red in the treated area, and feels warm to the touch. This is the expected reaction to dermal heating and reflects the local vasodilation that follows the treatment. The intensity varies by patient: fairer skin shows more visible erythema, darker skin tones often show very little. The warmth and pinkness usually settle within a few hours to one day. Make-up can be applied the same day if needed, though many patients prefer to wait until the next morning. ### The first one to two days Mild swelling or tenderness can occur after treatment. Post-treatment discomfort varies. Follow the treating clinician’s advice on pain relief, and contact the clinic for severe or worsening pain. ### The first week Bruising or swelling can persist beyond the first few days in some people. Blistering, a visible burn or scab, persistent color change, altered sensation, a dent or a lump is not routine recovery and warrants prompt review by the treating clinic. Burns, blisters or scabs can leave scars. ### Aftercare habits during the response window Two habits matter for the three to six months over which the dermal collagen response develops. The first is sun protection: a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher applied daily on the treated area protects the new collagen the skin is laying down. UV exposure without sun protection works against the response you are trying to build. The second is gentle skincare during the first week: a non-foaming cleanser, no scrubs, no acid peels, no retinoid ramp-up in that window. After the first week, normal skincare routines can resume. ### What to avoid in the first 48 hours - Saunas, jjimjilbang and very hot baths, since heat-on-heat is unnecessary stress while the skin is settling. - Intense cardio that flushes the face for extended periods. - Aggressive facial massage or microcurrent in the treated area. - Make-up that requires heavy rubbing to remove; choose a gentle cleanser instead. ### Thermage in summer: sun, heat and sweat Thermage is nonablative and usually does not cause peeling, but burns or blistering can occur. Treatment can be considered year-round after assessing skin condition and sun exposure. Treatment is postponed on sunburned skin. Avoid excessive heat while the skin settles. Resume swimming only when the skin is intact, without blisters, open wounds or concerning symptoms, and the treating clinician’s instructions allow it. The one habit that matters more after a summer session is sun protection, because the three to six month collagen response overlaps the highest-UV months of the year. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning, reapplied during long outdoor days, plus a hat for extended sun exposure, is the difference between protecting the new collagen and working against it. ### The collagen timeline Changes can develop over the following months; the timing and degree of improvement vary. Maintenance treatment is considered after follow-up and individual reassessment. Figure: Fine gold lines follow an orange-red trough between cream and charcoal waves. For an example of the written instructions a clinic hands out, see [a one-page sheet from a Seoul clinic](https://hifuseoul.com/aftercare/rf-lifting/en/). ### Published references 1. Dover JS, Zelickson B; 14-Physician Multispecialty Consensus Panel. Results of a survey of 5,700 patient monopolar radiofrequency facial skin tightening treatments. Dermatologic Surgery. 2007;33(8):900-907. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17661932/) 2. Fritz M, Counters JT, Zelickson BD. Radiofrequency treatment for middle and lower face laxity. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 2004;6(6):370-373. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15545529/) 3. Sukal SA, Geronemus RG. Thermage: the nonablative radiofrequency for rejuvenation. Clinics in Dermatology. 2008;26(6):602-607. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18940540/) 4. Weiss RA, Weiss MA, Munavalli G, Beasley KL. Monopolar radiofrequency facial tightening: a retrospective analysis of efficacy and safety in over 600 treatments. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2006;5(8):707-712. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16989184/) 5. de Felipe I, Del Cueto SR, Pérez E, Redondo P. Adverse reactions after nonablative radiofrequency: follow-up of 290 patients. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2007;6(3):163-166. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17760693/) 6. Rohrich RJ, Schultz KP, Chamata ES, Bellamy JL, Alleyne B. Minimally Invasive Approach to Skin Tightening of the Face and Body: Systematic Review of Monopolar and Bipolar Radiofrequency Devices. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2022;150(4):771-780. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35877937/) ## Thermage Candidates and Contraindications Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/candidates-and-contraindications/ Updated: 2026-10-18 Thermage may suit adults with mild-to-moderate skin laxity. Implanted electronic devices, including pacemakers and ICDs, are a manufacturer contraindication. Metal near the treatment area, recent fillers or threads and active skin disease require assessment. Discuss postponement during pregnancy with the treating clinician. Severe laxity may warrant surgical assessment. Clinical evidence at a glance - Multicenter prospective efficacy trial of monopolar RF on human eyelids documenting safety profile (Biesman et al., Lasers Surg Med 2006, [PMID 17163476](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17163476/)). - Review of RF devices for body shaping with safety and efficacy assessment (Anolik et al., Semin Cutan Med Surg 2009, [PMID 20123422](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20123422/)). - Manufacturer contraindication: Thermage is not used in patients with cardiac pacemakers, ICDs or other implanted electronic devices (Solta Medical Thermage FLX Operator's Manual). Thermage candidacy and contraindications summary | Candidacy factor | Suitability | Clinical notes | | --- | --- | --- | | Mild–moderate dermal laxity | Possible candidate | Age is not the criterion. Suitability depends on examination, skin thickness, prior procedures and treatment goals. | | Body-area laxity (abdomen, inner arms, knees, thighs) | Possible candidate | It may improve firmness in selected patients with mild-to-moderate laxity; the degree of change varies. | | Prior Ultherapy, considering RF | Timing-dependent | Ultherapy uses 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm focal depths, so treatment planes can overlap. The clinician should assess timing and whether another device adds value. | | Severe laxity (heavy jowls, deep neck banding, mid-face descent) | Less suitable | Severe laxity may warrant surgical assessment; nonsurgical improvement may be insufficient. | | Recent fillers or threads in the area | Timing-dependent | Product, location and treatment history determine timing and precautions. | | Pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) | Contraindicated | Monopolar RF current can interfere with implanted cardiac devices. | | Permanent metal implants in the treatment area | Individual assessment | Disclose dental implants, crowns, braces and other nearby metal so precautions can be planned. | | Pregnancy | Discuss timing with the clinician | Safety during pregnancy has not been established. | | Active infection or inflammation in the area | Defer pending assessment | Treatment is deferred until the area has settled. | | Severe systemic illness or uncontrolled connective-tissue disorder | Case-by-case | Decided in consultation with the patient's primary care or specialty team. | Thermage is broadly tolerated and is appropriate for most adults with mild to moderate skin laxity, but the device has specific contraindications that follow from its mechanism: monopolar radiofrequency delivers electrical energy through tissue, which is not compatible with certain implants. Candidacy is decided in consultation, but the points below are the ones that come up consistently. Figure: Orange arcs hover above layered waves with a glowing red center. ### Good candidates The patient most likely to be satisfied with a single Thermage session has mild or moderate laxity that examination finds suitable for dermal RF treatment. Age is not the criterion. Skin thickness, laxity location and degree, prior procedures, tissue volume and goals all affect candidacy. Body-area patients are a distinct candidate group. Thermage body tips are used on the abdomen (post-pregnancy or post-weight-loss laxity), inner arms, knees and inner thighs. Patients who have ruled out body-contouring surgery and who want a non-invasive option are typical candidates here. Body Thermage does not produce surgical results, but it may improve firmness in selected patients with mild-to-moderate laxity; the degree of change varies. Prior Ultherapy does not automatically make someone a Thermage candidate. Ultherapy uses 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm focal planes, so its treatment planes can overlap dermal RF treatment. Timing and whether another device adds value are assessed individually. ### Less suitable candidates Severe laxity, such as heavy jowls, deep neck folds or substantial mid-face descent, may warrant surgical assessment. Nonsurgical treatment may provide insufficient improvement. Tell the clinician about recent fillers or threads. The product, location and treatment history determine whether Thermage is suitable and whether it should be delayed. ### Contraindications, precautions and clinic deferrals Implanted electronic devices are a manufacturer contraindication. Metal near the treatment area and recent procedures require individual assessment; pregnancy and active skin disease may warrant postponement after clinical assessment. - Pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Monopolar RF current can interfere with implanted cardiac devices. Thermage is not used in patients with these implants. - Metal near the treatment area: individual precautions. Tell the clinician about dental implants, crowns, braces and other metal near the treatment area so appropriate precautions can be planned. - Pregnancy: discuss postponement. Discuss postponement during pregnancy with the treating clinician because safety has not been established. - Active infection or inflammation in the treatment area. Treatment is deferred until the area is settled. - Recent fillers or threads in the treatment area. Waiting periods apply; this is a timing consideration rather than a permanent exclusion. - Severe systemic illness or uncontrolled connective tissue disorder. Treatment decisions are made in consultation with the patient's primary care or speciality team. Timing questions (Thermage after Botox, over existing fillers, or around a pregnancy) are covered in [Thermage timing questions](https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-timing-questions/). ### What the consultation actually covers The clinician assesses laxity, identifies the tip type (face, eye, body) most appropriate to the area, and estimates the total pulse count, which in turn drives the price. If Thermage is the wrong device for the patient's actual concern, that is said directly rather than worked around. The consultation also covers contraindications by history: pacemaker and ICD status, implanted metal in the treatment area, pregnancy status, and recent filler or thread history. For broader dermatology questions outside the Thermage envelope (pigmentation, acne, deep wrinkle treatment, body contouring outside the Thermage indication), please see [the Delight Dermatology Clinic homepage](https://hifuseoul.com/). ### Published references 1. Biesman BS, Baker SS, Carruthers J, Silva HL, Holloman EL. Monopolar radiofrequency treatment of human eyelids: a prospective, multicenter, efficacy trial. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2006;38(10):890-898. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17163476/) 2. Anolik R, Chapas AM, Brightman LA, Geronemus RG. Radiofrequency devices for body shaping: a review and study of 12 patients. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2009;28(4):236-243. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20123422/) 3. Lolis MS, Goldberg DJ. Radiofrequency in cosmetic dermatology: a review. Dermatologic Surgery. 2012;38(11):1765-1776. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22913399/) ## Eye Thermage in Seoul: The Periorbital Thermage FLX Eye Tip Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/eye-thermage-seoul/ Updated: 2026-10-18 Eye Thermage uses the Thermage FLX Eye Tip (a smaller, contoured tip) to deliver monopolar radiofrequency to the delicate skin around the eyes. It targets the same dermal layer as face Thermage but with a protocol calibrated to the periorbital area, with a dedicated eyelid protocol, appropriate plastic ocular shields and the manufacturer’s restrictions on vibration. Thermage received periorbital-wrinkle clearance in 2002 and FLX clearance in 2017, and a prospective study evaluated eyelid treatment (Biesman et al., 2006). [Delight Dermatology Clinic](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/eye-thermage-seoul/#procedure-overview) estimates 25–35 minutes for an Eye Tip session; actual time varies with the treatment map, and it may be planned separately or with a face session. Clinical evidence at a glance - Multicenter prospective efficacy trial of monopolar RF on human eyelids documenting the safety profile (Biesman et al., Lasers Surg Med 2006, [PMID 17163476](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17163476/)). - Survey of 5,700 treatments reported by 14 physicians of monopolar RF facial tightening (Dover & Zelickson, Dermatol Surg 2007, [PMID 17661932](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17661932/)). - The Eye Tip targets the dermis; results develop gradually over 3–6 months as collagen remodels (Sukal & Geronemus, Clin Dermatol 2008, [PMID 18940540](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18940540/)). ### What "Eye Thermage" actually means Eye Thermage is not a separate device. It is the Thermage Eye Tip used in the periorbital area: the smaller, contoured tip designed for the upper and lower eyelid skin and the area around the orbital rim. When patients ask about "Eye Thermage," this is the treatment they mean. It runs on the same Thermage FLX platform, uses the same monopolar capacitive radiofrequency, and targets the same dermal layer as face Thermage; only the tip and the protocol change. The mechanism is covered in full on the [What is Thermage](https://thermage-seoul.com/what-is-thermage/) page. ### Why the eye area needs its own tip and protocol The skin around the eyes is thinner than facial skin and sits close to the orbital rim, which is exactly why laser-based wrinkle treatments are more limited in this area. The Eye Tip is contoured for that anatomy and allows treatment over closed eyelids when it is delivered with appropriate plastic ocular shields and the manufacturer’s restrictions on vibration by a trained clinician. The depth of energy and the pulse count are calibrated to the delicate periorbital skin rather than to the broader face. The published safety record for monopolar radiofrequency on human eyelids comes from a multicenter prospective trial (Biesman et al., 2006). Figure: Cream and charcoal layers curve around an orange-red band on the right. ### The 2002 FDA periorbital origin The Thermage platform received periorbital-wrinkle clearance in 2002. Thermage FLX received [FDA 510(k) clearance K170758 on September 22, 2017](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf). ### What Eye Thermage treats, and what to expect Like face Thermage, the Eye Tip heats the reticular dermis to trigger an immediate contraction of existing collagen and a slower remodeling response, producing firmer, slightly tighter skin around the eyes. Published studies describe gradual change rather than an immediate final result (Sukal & Geronemus, 2008), but timing and degree vary. It is a firmness-and-texture treatment, not a way to erase deep lines or lift heavy upper-eyelid hooding, and any maintenance plan is individualized. Temporary warmth, redness, swelling, or tenderness can occur; recovery varies, as described on the [aftercare and downtime](https://thermage-seoul.com/aftercare-downtime/) page. ### Session length and pricing in Seoul An Eye Tip session usually takes 25–35 minutes, depending on the treatment map. [Delight Dermatology Clinic](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/eye-thermage-seoul/) quotes Eye Thermage separately after assessing the treatment area, tip and pulse plan. See [Seoul pricing](https://thermage-seoul.com/pricing-seoul/) for quotation questions. ### Combining Eye Thermage with face Thermage or Ultherapy Eye Tip may be planned alone or with a face treatment after examination. Ultherapy Prime also has 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm focal settings, so treatment planes around the eye can overlap rather than remaining in completely separate layers. A combined plan is not automatic and must avoid duplicating treatment; the depth comparison is set out on the [Thermage vs Ultherapy](https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-vs-ultherapy/) page. To see where the Eye Tip is placed, watch [a short film of the tip beside the outer corner of the eye](https://hifuseoul.com/videos/eye-thermage-seoul/). ### Who should not have Eye Thermage Implanted electronic devices, including pacemakers and ICDs, are a manufacturer contraindication. Metal near the treatment area, active skin disease and recent fillers or threads require assessment. Discuss postponement during pregnancy with the treating clinician. See [candidacy and precautions](https://thermage-seoul.com/candidates-and-contraindications/). ### Published references 1. Biesman BS, Baker SS, Carruthers J, Silva HL, Holloman EL. Monopolar radiofrequency treatment of human eyelids: a prospective, multicenter, efficacy trial. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2006;38(10):890-898. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17163476/) 2. Dover JS, Zelickson B; 14-Physician Multispecialty Consensus Panel. Results of a survey of 5,700 patient monopolar radiofrequency facial skin tightening treatments. Dermatologic Surgery. 2007;33(8):900-907. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17661932/) 3. Sukal SA, Geronemus RG. Thermage: the nonablative radiofrequency for rejuvenation. Clinics in Dermatology. 2008;26(6):602-607. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18940540/) ## Thermage FAQ Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/faq/ Updated: 2026-10-24 Thermage FLX changes develop gradually and vary in persistence. Published studies do not establish one universal peak or fixed duration. A Seoul clinic price list gives a Thermage FLX range of KRW 1,000,000–2,600,000 per session. The final amount depends on the tip and treatment plan; Eye Thermage is quoted separately. [Delight Dermatology Clinic price list](https://hifuseoul.com/pricing/#price-pricing-1-pricing-2). Most patients return to usual activity the same day, although temporary warmth, pinkness, tenderness or mild swelling can occur. Implanted electronic devices are a manufacturer contraindication; other precautions are assessed during consultation. [Thermage FLX overview: Delight Dermatology Clinic](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/thermage-seoul/). ### How long does Thermage last? Changes develop gradually; their degree and persistence vary. Maintenance is considered after reassessment. ### Is Thermage painful? Comfort varies by treatment area, settings and the individual. The FLX handpiece includes vibration intended to improve comfort, but this does not guarantee a low-pain session or determine whether analgesia is appropriate. Sensations may include brief heat, pressure or discomfort; the clinician should agree a comfort plan before treatment. ### How is Thermage FLX different from older Thermage versions? FLX introduced AccuREP technology and a redesigned vibrating handpiece. CPT already included vibration intended to support treatment comfort. Tip selection, pulse count, settings and treatment mapping affect the plan. ### Can I do Thermage and Ultherapy together? They may be combined when a dermatologist finds that treating different planned tissue depths is appropriate. That does not mean every patient benefits or that the devices can be sequenced without consideration of prior treatments, anatomy and recovery. Combining is an individual clinical decision, not a default add-on. ### What about Eye Thermage? Eye Thermage uses a dedicated tip around the eyes. Eyelid treatment requires appropriate plastic ocular shields and the manufacturer’s restrictions on vibration. The Thermage platform received periorbital clearance in 2002; FLX received clearance in 2017. ### Which body areas can Thermage treat? Thermage can be planned for areas such as the abdomen, inner arms, knees and thighs. It may improve firmness in selected patients with mild-to-moderate laxity; the degree of change varies. ### How long is the actual session? Energy-delivery time varies with the treatment map and pulse count. Eye Tip sessions usually take twenty-five to thirty-five minutes. Body plans may take longer because the treated area and pulse count vary. [Eye Tip time estimates: Delight Dermatology Clinic](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/eye-thermage-seoul/#procedure-overview). [A treatment-and-flight planner](https://hifuseoul.com/guides/downtime-planning-seoul/) helps fit the visit into a trip. ### Are there contraindications I should know about? Implanted electronic devices, including pacemakers and ICDs, are a manufacturer contraindication. Tell the clinician about dental and other metal, recent fillers or threads and active skin disease so precautions can be planned. Discuss postponement during pregnancy with the treating clinician. ### What is the international patient workflow? The consultation confirms candidacy, tip, pulse count and the final plan. Allow time for assessment and follow-up when planning travel. ### How much should I budget? A Seoul clinic price list gives a Thermage FLX range of KRW 1,000,000–2,600,000 per session. The final amount depends on the tip and treatment plan; Eye Thermage is quoted separately. [Delight Dermatology Clinic price list](https://hifuseoul.com/pricing/#price-pricing-1-pricing-2). ### Is summer a good time for Thermage? Treatment can be considered year-round after assessing skin condition and sun exposure. Thermage is nonablative and usually does not cause peeling, but burns or blistering can occur. Sunburned skin needs to recover before treatment. ### What does recovery look like? Temporary redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness or bruising may occur. Blistering can occur; contact the treating clinic promptly for blisters, suspected burns or worsening symptoms. Follow the clinician’s skincare and sun-protection instructions. ### How do I book? Visit the Thermage treatment page on hifuseoul.com for consultation and booking options. Weighing an at-home retinoid against an in-clinic treatment? The separate guide on [retinol or Thermage](https://thermage-seoul.com/retinol-vs-thermage/) explains what each one changes in the skin and what the cited studies leave open. ## Thermage Pricing in Seoul Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/pricing-seoul/ Updated: 2026-10-24 A Seoul clinic price list gives a Thermage FLX range of KRW 1,000,000–2,600,000 per session. The final amount depends on the tip and treatment plan; Eye Thermage is quoted separately. [Delight Dermatology Clinic price list](https://hifuseoul.com/pricing/#price-pricing-1-pricing-2). ### Thermage and Ultherapy: published clinic ranges Thermage and Ultherapy: published clinic ranges · 2026-09-23 | Treatment / source | Published range (KRW) | Scope | | --- | --- | --- | | [Thermage FLX · clinic price list](https://hifuseoul.com/pricing/#price-pricing-1-pricing-2) | 1,000,000–2,600,000 | Tip and shot count vary; no separate full-face or face-and-neck price is specified. | | [Ultherapy Prime · clinic price list](https://hifuseoul.com/pricing/#price-pricing-1-pricing-4) | 300,000–2,700,000 | Shot count varies; the list does not assign this range to a single treatment area. | The clinic list gives both ranges per session. Request an itemized quote confirming the treatment area and the included services. ### Compare the same area and tip plan #### Face Which face zones, tip and planned REPs are included? #### Face + neck Is the neck included, and how are REPs allocated between the areas? #### Eye Thermage Is a separate Eye Tip indicated, and what is its itemized price? #### Body What is the named body area and surface covered by the quote? [Session details for the eye area](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/eye-thermage-seoul/) Ask for the planned pulse count (REPs), passes, settings and coverage. A count alone does not establish the result for an individual. A low advertised price alone also cannot establish device authenticity or an inadequate treatment plan. See [how quotes differ at 300, 600 and 900 REP](https://hifuseoul.com/guides/thermage-price-seoul/). ### Thermage vs Ultherapy: what the price cannot tell you Thermage FLX delivers radiofrequency energy to tissue while cooling the epidermis. Its RF field should not be presented as a single fixed treatment depth. Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound with imaging and selected focal depths. The energy-delivery method alone does not tell you which plan is appropriate. Device descriptions: [Thermage FLX · FDA K170758](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf) · [Ulthera System PRIME · FDA K250418](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf25/K250418.pdf) ### What to confirm before booking Request a dated, itemized quote naming the device, tip, treatment areas, pulse or line plan and clinician. Ask whether consultation, comfort measures, tax and follow-up are included or charged separately. Request a separate explanation and quote for any combined treatment; do not infer its price by adding the ranges above. ## Retinol or Thermage? What Each One Changes in the Skin Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/retinol-vs-thermage/ Updated: 2026-10-18 Retinol and Thermage FLX are not two versions of the same treatment. Retinol is a topical retinoid that the skin converts to retinoic acid; in a 24-week controlled trial, 0.4% retinol lotion reduced fine-wrinkle scores on aged arm skin and increased markers of new skin matrix. Thermage FLX is an in-clinic monopolar radiofrequency treatment made by Solta Medical; a six-month study of one treatment with an earlier Thermage system reported better periorbital wrinkle scores and measurable brow change. Neither study tested the two together, so the choice depends on which change matters most to you and what an examination finds. Figure: An unlabeled amber dropper bottle beside smooth, warm-toned pebbles on dark slate in evening light ### How each one is used Retinol is vitamin A in its alcohol form. It belongs to the retinoid family, which also includes retinaldehyde, tretinoin (all-trans retinoic acid) and synthetic retinoids. A 2006 [review of retinoids in skin aging](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18046911/) notes that retinol has been used in over-the-counter cosmetic products since 1984, that the skin must convert it to retinoic acid before it acts, and that it is less potent than tretinoin. Retinol also degrades in light and air, so the formulation affects what actually reaches the skin. Thermage FLX is a monopolar capacitive radiofrequency system made by Solta Medical, a Bausch Health company, and a clinician delivers it in a session. FDA's [K170758 summary](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf) describes 6.78 MHz RF energy delivered through a disposable treatment tip while the system conductively cools the epidermis and monitors skin contact. As the guide to [what Thermage is](https://thermage-seoul.com/what-is-thermage/) explains, it produces a broad heating field through the dermis rather than one fixed focal point. Study designs and measured outcomes | Study detail | Topical retinol | Thermage monopolar RF | | --- | --- | --- | | Study | [Kafi et al., 2007](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17515510/); randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial | [Fitzpatrick et al., 2003](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14571447/); multicenter, single treatment | | Participants and area | 36 older adults, mean age 87; arm skin | 86 subjects; skin around the eyes | | Schedule | 0.4% retinol lotion, up to three times a week for 24 weeks | One treatment with the earlier ThermaCool TC System; six months of follow-up | | Measured outcomes | Fine-wrinkle scores and skin-matrix markers in small biopsy subgroups | Blinded photographic wrinkle scores, brow position and adverse effects | ### What retinol changed in a controlled trial Kafi and colleagues at the University of Michigan ran a [randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17515510/) in 36 older adults with a mean age of 87, living in two senior residences. Study staff applied 0.4% retinol lotion to one arm and the vehicle lotion to the other, up to three times a week for 24 weeks. On a 0 to 9 severity scale, fine-wrinkling scores fell by 1.64 points on the retinol-treated arms and by 0.08 points with the vehicle. In small biopsy subgroups, retinol increased glycosaminoglycan expression (six people) and procollagen I staining (four people) compared with the vehicle. The authors concluded that more glycosaminoglycan, which holds water, and more collagen production were the most likely reasons for the smoother skin. The skin was naturally aged arm skin, not facial skin, and the trial measured fine wrinkles, not loose or sagging tissue. The review describes how topical retinoids work more broadly: they increase epidermal growth and thickness, make the outer horny layer more compact and increase glycosaminoglycan deposits. In the tretinoin studies it summarizes, new collagen formed in the papillary dermis, the upper part of the dermis, and trials reported improvement in fine wrinkling, mottled pigmentation and roughness over months of use. Most of that work concerned photoaged skin and tretinoin, which the review calls the most potent and most widely investigated retinoid. ### What Thermage changed in a multicenter study Fitzpatrick and colleagues [followed 86 subjects for six months](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14571447/) after a single periorbital treatment with the ThermaCool TC System, an earlier Thermage generation. Independent reviewers scoring blinded photographs found at least a one-point improvement on the Fitzpatrick wrinkle scale in 83.2% of treated periorbital areas (99 of 119). Treating physicians, assessing without the pre-treatment photographs, noted improvement in 28.9% of areas (48 of 166), and 50% of participants (41 of 82) said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the wrinkle change. Photographic measurement showed at least 0.5 mm of brow lift in 61.5% of eyebrows (40 of 65). The study also reported second-degree burns in 0.36% of RF applications (21 of 5,858) and small areas of residual scarring in three people at six months. The authors read the pattern as early tightening from heat, followed by further tightening on a timescale consistent with thermal wound healing. Figure: Smooth pebbles glowing softly from within on dark slate The study covered one area with an older device and ended at six months. Thermage is not permanent. ### What the US device records cover FDA's 510(k) database lists [K021402](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K021402), decided November 5, 2002, for the ThermaCool TC System. It covers electrocoagulation and hemostasis and the non-invasive treatment of periorbital wrinkles and rhytids, which the summary describes as an expanded indication. [K170758](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf), decided September 22, 2017, lists the RF-energy components of Thermage FLX for the same surgical uses, for periorbital wrinkles including the upper and lower eyelids, and for wrinkles and rhytids. A 510(k) clearance means FDA found the device substantially equivalent to legally marketed devices for those listed uses. ### Where each one stops Retinol's cited benefits came from months of repeated use, and it has its own side effects. The review describes a "retinoid reaction" of itching, burning, redness and peeling, usually in the first few weeks, and early sensitivity to sunlight. It reports the reaction as more common with tretinoin and tazarotene than with retinol or retinaldehyde. The same review advises caution with retinoids around pregnancy. Thermage is a clinic procedure with its own safety labeling. Solta Medical's [important safety information](https://www.thermage.com/hcp/) lists implanted electrical devices, such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, as a contraindication, and says Solta has not studied use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Its reported adverse reactions include blisters, burns and scarring. Metal near the treatment area, including dental work, is something to disclose so the clinician can assess precautions; the [technical manual for the earlier Thermage CPT system](https://ca.thermage.com/siteassets/hcp/pdf/thermage-cpt-technical-users-manual-model-tg-2b-p-np009240-06-2021.pdf) advises caution when treating directly over metal dental work because RF can heat the metal. The [candidates guide](https://thermage-seoul.com/candidates-and-contraindications/) covers who it suits. Sun protection is relevant to both. The review advises it for people using a retinoid, especially early on, and the aftercare guide lists it first among the habits for the months after a session. Figure: An unlabeled amber dropper bottle and a plain white tube on a bedside tray beside a lamp at night ### Start a retinoid, book Thermage, or plan both Start from the change you most want, then match it to what each option was studied for. - Mostly surface concerns. Fine lines, rough texture or uneven tone are closest to what the retinoid studies measured. - Mostly looseness. Mild laxity around the eyes and brow is closest to what the cited Thermage study measured. Thermage suits mild-to-moderate dermal laxity confirmed on examination; more marked laxity may need a different approach. - Both. The cited studies do not establish whether one can substitute for the other or whether combining them improves outcomes. If you plan both, the treating clinician sets the order. When to pause or restart a retinoid around a session is a timing question; the [aftercare and downtime guide](https://thermage-seoul.com/aftercare-downtime/) covers it, and [Thermage timing questions](https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-timing-questions/) covers sequencing around other treatments and pregnancy. Bring the name and strength of every retinoid you use, topical or oral, to the consultation. Irritation, pregnancy and prescription questions belong with a clinician. [Delight Dermatology Clinic's Thermage consultation overview](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/thermage-seoul/#procedure-process) describes its examination-led process. ### Common questions ### Is retinol a substitute for Thermage? The cited studies do not establish whether one can substitute for the other. The retinol trial measured fine wrinkling and skin-matrix markers on aged arm skin over 24 weeks. The Thermage study measured periorbital wrinkle scores and brow position after one treatment with an earlier system. ### Can retinol and Thermage be part of the same plan? None of the cited sources tested retinol and Thermage together, so they do not establish whether combining them improves outcomes. Whether and in what order to combine them is the treating clinician's decision. ### Which lasts longer, retinol or Thermage? No source cited here compared durability. The retinoid review describes tretinoin's benefits as appearing slowly, over a long period of use. The cited Thermage study followed participants for six months and does not establish how long results last beyond that, and Thermage is not permanent. ### Sources 1. [Kafi R, et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17515510/). Archives of Dermatology, 2007;143(5):606-612. PMID 17515510. 2. [Mukherjee S, et al. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18046911/). Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2006;1(4):327-348. PMID 18046911. 3. [Fitzpatrick R, et al. Multicenter study of noninvasive radiofrequency for periorbital tissue tightening](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14571447/). Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2003;33(4):232-242. PMID 14571447. 4. [FDA K021402: Thermage ThermaCool TC System, 510(k) record](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K021402), decision November 5, 2002. 5. [FDA K170758: Thermage FLX System, decision and 510(k) summary](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf), decision September 22, 2017. 6. [Solta Medical. Thermage CPT/FLX System important safety information](https://www.thermage.com/hcp/), healthcare professional page, checked October 17, 2026. 7. [Solta Medical. Thermage CPT System technical user's manual](https://ca.thermage.com/siteassets/hcp/pdf/thermage-cpt-technical-users-manual-model-tg-2b-p-np009240-06-2021.pdf), P009240-06, September 2021. ## Thermage Before and After: What Studies Measured at 1, 3 and 6 Months Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-before-and-after/ Updated: 2026-10-24 Thermage and monopolar radiofrequency studies rated results from photographs taken on a set schedule. A cheek-and-neck study compared pictures taken at baseline, immediately after treatment, at 1 week and at 1, 3 and 6 months; a lower-face study rated pictures at 1 and 4 months; and eyelid studies followed people for up to 6 months. In each, masked or blinded raters compared the photographs. The lower-face study saw further improvement between the 1-month and 4-month visits, and the cheek-and-neck study still saw tightening at 6 months. To read a before-and-after pair, check the interval, the area treated and whether both pictures were taken the same way. Figure: Chart of the photograph visits in four Thermage and monopolar radiofrequency studies: before treatment, immediately after, at 1 week and at 1, 3 and 6 months for cheeks and neck; before treatment and 1 and 4 months after the last session for the middle and lower face; before treatment and at 1, 3 and 6 months for the nasolabial folds; and before treatment and at 8 weeks for the upper eyelids Figure: Where each study looked. Which face and neck areas seven studies measured. Fitzpatrick 2003, Biesman 2006 and Suh 2025 measured the eyes or eyelids. Fritz 2004 rated the middle and lower face, nasolabial folds, jowls and the area under the chin. Alster and Tanzi 2004 treated cheeks or the neck. Wang 2025 measured nasolabial folds. Alhaddad 2019 assessed the face and upper neck. Large dots mark the areas each study treated and rated. ### Cheeks, jowls and neck: pictures at 1, 3, 4 and 6 months [Alster and Tanzi](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15056138/) treated 50 people once with the ThermaCool system, an earlier Thermage generation: 30 for mild to moderate cheek laxity and 20 for the neck. The cheek treatment covered skin from the nasolabial folds out to the front of the ear and down to the jawline, and the neck treatment ran from the jaw to mid neck. Three masked assessors compared photographs taken at baseline, immediately after treatment, at 1 week and at 1, 3 and 6 months, on a quartile scale from under 25% to over 75% improvement. The authors reported improvement in most patients, with tightening still evident 6 months after the single treatment, and wrote that the longevity of results had yet to be determined. [Fritz and colleagues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15545529/) randomly assigned 20 people with mild to moderate laxity of the middle and lower face to one ThermaCool TC treatment or two treatments a month apart. Four blinded physicians rated standardized photographs taken before treatment and 1 and 4 months after the last session, scoring the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, jowls, laxity under the chin and overall appearance. Both groups improved further between the 1-month and 4-month assessments, two treatments scored higher for the nasolabial folds, and the authors described the overall change as modest in most patients. Figure: Study design diagram: 20 people with mild to moderate laxity of the middle and lower face were randomly assigned to one treatment or two treatments a month apart; standardized photographs before treatment and 1 and 4 months after the last session; four blinded physicians rated nasolabial folds, marionette lines, jowls, laxity under the chin and overall appearance The lower-face study photographed before treatment and 1 and 4 months after the last session. A [2019 split-face trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30531187/) treated 20 people with monopolar capacitive radiofrequency on one side of the face and microfocused ultrasound on the other; its abstract names the technology rather than the device. Laxity scores for the face and upper neck had improved significantly on both sides by day 30 and remained improved through days 90 and 180. A [2025 randomized study from Beijing](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39957006/) used Thermage CPT as the comparison arm for a different monopolar device and photographed its 40 participants, including with Antera 3D imaging, at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months, measuring the depression volume of the nasolabial folds. ### Eyes and eyelids: from 8 weeks to 6 months In [Fitzpatrick's six-month study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14571447/) of 86 people treated around the eyes with the ThermaCool TC System, independent reviewers scoring blinded photographs found at least a one-point wrinkle-score improvement in 83.2% of treated areas, while treating physicians working without the pre-treatment photographs noted improvement in 28.9%. [Biesman and colleagues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17163476/) treated the eyelids of 72 people once with a 0.25 cm² monopolar RF tip and followed them on a serial basis for 6 months, with masked physician observers rating the photographs taken at each visit. Upper eyelid tightening and less hooding were noted in 88% and 86% of participants and lower eyelid tightening in 71–74%. Most achieved "at least up to 25% improvement", and a smaller share showed larger change. Figure: Bar chart of two eye studies. Fitzpatrick 2003, 86 people: blinded photo reviewers found at least a one-point improvement in 83.2% of treated areas, treating physicians without the earlier photographs 28.9%. Biesman 2006, 72 people, 0.25 cm² tip: upper eyelid tightening 88%, less hooding 86%, lower eyelid tightening 71–74% of participants Improvement rates by rater in one eye study and by eyelid area in another. A [2025 Korean study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41293324/) of 50 people treated the upper eyelids once with a Thermage 450 REP 0.25 cm² eye tip, at 0.25–0.45 joules per pulse and about 200 pulses per eyelid. Photographs were taken at baseline and at 8 weeks, an interval the authors chose to capture early change while noting that collagen remodeling can continue for 3–6 months. Five board-certified dermatologists rated each pair blind, and those ratings trained an automated scoring model. For the eye-specific procedure, see the [Eye Thermage guide](https://thermage-seoul.com/eye-thermage-seoul/). ### How to read a before-and-after pair A before-and-after pair compresses months into two frames. Between them, the cited studies held five things constant: a set interval after treatment; the lighting, which was cross-polarized in the eyelid scoring study; a fixed distance with identical aperture, exposure and ISO; a neutral expression with the eyes in primary gaze; and raters who were masked or blinded. The gap between blinded photo reviewers and treating physicians in the periorbital study shows how far the rating method can move the result. Figure: Five things the studies kept the same. Five conditions the cited studies held constant when comparing before-and-after photographs: the same interval after treatment, the same lighting, the same distance and camera settings, the same pose with a neutral expression and eyes in primary gaze, and masked raters comparing each pair. Sources: Suh 2025, Alster and Tanzi 2004, Fritz 2004 and Fitzpatrick 2003. A photograph you take before your session is most useful if you can repeat it the same way at the later visit. In the lower-face study, every participant had mild swelling and mild to moderate redness right after treatment; the [aftercare and downtime guide](https://thermage-seoul.com/aftercare-downtime/) covers those first days. ### Questions for clinic photographs [Delight Dermatology Clinic's before-and-after photographs](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/thermage-seoul/#procedure-before-after) show one pair from a combined plan that also included Ultherapy. When a clinic shows you a pair, ask: - Which device, tip and areas were treated, and was anything else part of the plan? - How long after treatment was the second photograph taken? - Were both photographs taken with the same light, distance, camera settings and expression? Who tends to suit the treatment is covered in the [candidates guide](https://thermage-seoul.com/candidates-and-contraindications/), and the [XTherma and Thermage records guide](https://thermage-seoul.com/xtherma-vs-thermage/) explains how to confirm which device a clinic is offering. ### Common questions ### When did studies check Thermage results? The cited studies rated photographs taken from immediately after treatment to 6 months later, at visits that included 1 week, 8 weeks and 1, 3, 4 and 6 months. One lower-face study found further improvement between the 1-month and 4-month visits, and a cheek-and-neck study still saw tightening at 6 months. ### Have studies measured Thermage on the neck? Yes. Alster and Tanzi treated 20 people for neck laxity, from the jaw to mid neck, and rated photographs at 1, 3 and 6 months. A 2019 split-face trial of monopolar capacitive radiofrequency assessed the face and upper neck at days 30, 90 and 180. ### Why do before-and-after photos of the same treatment look so different? The interval, lighting, distance, camera settings, expression and the person rating the pictures all change what a pair shows. In one periorbital study, blinded photo reviewers and treating physicians without the earlier photographs reached very different improvement rates. ### Published references 1. [Alster TS, Tanzi E. Improvement of neck and cheek laxity with a nonablative radiofrequency device: a lifting experience](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15056138/). Dermatologic Surgery, 2004;30(4 Pt 1):503-507. PMID 15056138. 2. [Fritz M, et al. Radiofrequency treatment for middle and lower face laxity](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15545529/). Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 2004;6(6):370-373. PMID 15545529. 3. [Alhaddad M, et al. A randomized, split-face, evaluator-blind clinical trial comparing monopolar radiofrequency versus microfocused ultrasound with visualization for lifting and tightening of the face and upper neck](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30531187/). Dermatologic Surgery, 2019;45(1):131-139. PMID 30531187. 4. [Wang Z, et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of a novel monopolar radiofrequency device for skin tightening: a prospective randomized controlled study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39957006/). Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2025;57(3):259-264. PMID 39957006. 5. [Fitzpatrick R, et al. Multicenter study of noninvasive radiofrequency for periorbital tissue tightening](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14571447/). Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2003;33(4):232-242. PMID 14571447. 6. [Biesman BS, et al. Monopolar radiofrequency treatment of human eyelids: a prospective, multicenter, efficacy trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17163476/). Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2006;38(10):890-898. PMID 17163476. 7. [Suh DH, et al. A deep learning-based automated scoring system for predicting eyelid rejuvenation outcomes after monopolar radiofrequency treatment](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41293324/). Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2025;18:3133-3138. PMID 41293324. 8. [FDA 510(k) K170758: Thermage FLX System, letter, indications for use and 510(k) summary](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf), letter dated September 22, 2017. 9. [ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07467811](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07467811), first posted March 12, 2026; checked October 24, 2026. ## Thermage Timing Questions: Botox, Fillers, Pregnancy Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-timing-questions/ Updated: 2026-10-18 Before scheduling Thermage after Botox or fillers, bring the product name, injection site and depth, and date of your last treatment. Ask the clinician to assess the planned treatment area and sequence. The studies below do not establish a waiting interval that applies to everyone. ### Can you have Thermage after Botox? There is no fixed, published waiting interval between botulinum toxin and monopolar radiofrequency. The most useful evidence is an 18-year retrospective review of 1,040 patients at two Korean dermatology clinics who combined monopolar radiofrequency or microfocused ultrasound with cosmetic injectables: among neuromodulator combinations it reported eyelid ptosis in 0.4% and paradoxical bulging in 0.1%, with no burns, infection or necrosis in any group ([Suh 2025](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39821337/)). That is reassuring, but it is retrospective evidence from two practices, not a timing protocol. In practice the sequencing is decided at consultation: bring the product name and the date of your last injection. ### Can you have Thermage over dermal fillers? Before Thermage over fillers, ask the clinician to review the filler product, injection site and depth, injection date and planned energy-treatment area. Solta states that it has not studied use over skin fillers; the cited studies do not establish a universal waiting interval. [Solta Medical safety information](https://www.thermage.com/hcp/). In a two-part animal model, radiofrequency passes over implanted fillers produced no observed loss of filler persistence and no increase in burn risk ([England 2005](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16240419/), an industry-affiliated study), while part 2 measured statistically significant increases in the inflammatory, foreign-body and fibrotic responses around the filler materials and concluded that optimal timing remains undetermined ([Shumaker 2006](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16485274/)). In the 1,040-patient clinical series, surface irregularity occurred in 1.1% of hyaluronic-acid combinations and cheek asymmetry in 1.7% of PLLA combinations, and no filler migration or premature filler loss was reported ([Suh 2025](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39821337/)). These findings come from different study designs and do not establish an individual treatment sequence. Filler type, location and injection date are part of [patient selection](https://thermage-seoul.com/candidates-and-contraindications/) rather than a checkbox. ### Is Thermage safe during pregnancy? Thermage has not been studied in pregnancy. Discuss treatment timing with the clinician and see [contraindication list](https://thermage-seoul.com/candidates-and-contraindications/). The same logic applies to breastfeeding: the honest answer is that the evidence to individualize simply does not exist. ### How is sequencing actually decided? Three pieces of information do most of the work at consultation: what was injected (product and layer), where, and when. With those, the clinician can sequence radiofrequency against your injectable schedule instead of applying a one-size interval that no published study has established. Recovery expectations after the session itself are covered in the [aftercare and downtime guide](https://thermage-seoul.com/aftercare-downtime/). Spacing between treatments on a Seoul trip is set out in [a trip-planning guide for treatments](https://hifuseoul.com/guides/downtime-planning-seoul/). ### Published references 1. Suh DH, Chen LC, Chung HJ, Lee SJ, Kim J. An 18-year comprehensive safety study on microfocused ultrasound and monopolar radiofrequency combined with cosmetic injectables in 1,040 patients. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2025;317(1):251. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39821337/) 2. England LJ, Tan MH, Shumaker PR, et al. Effects of monopolar radiofrequency treatment over soft-tissue fillers in an animal model (part 1; industry-affiliated study). Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2005;37(5):356-365. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16240419/) 3. Shumaker PR, England LJ, Dover JS, et al. Effect of monopolar radiofrequency treatment over soft-tissue fillers in an animal model: part 2. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2006;38(3):211-217. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16485274/) ## Thermage vs Ultherapy: RF Skin Tightening vs MFU-V Lifting Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-vs-ultherapy/ Updated: 2026-10-18 Thermage uses monopolar radiofrequency to heat the dermis and produce controlled dermal heating. Ultherapy uses microfocused ultrasound at selectable 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm focal depths; the deepest setting can reach the SMAS. Their treated planes can overlap, so device choice or combination requires examination rather than a simple “surface versus deep” rule. The cited studies used different devices, designs and follow-up periods, so they do not establish the same fixed duration for both treatments (Alam et al., 2010; Suh et al., 2011). Clinical evidence at a glance - First rater-blinded prospective cohort of MFU-V for facial and neck tightening (Alam et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2010, [PMID 20115948](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20115948/)). - MFU-V tightening confirmed in Asian-skin cohort with clinical and pathologic findings (Suh et al., Dermatol Surg 2011, [PMID 21806707](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21806707/)). - Monopolar RF lower-face laxity series demonstrating measurable tightening (Fritz, Counters & Zelickson, Arch Facial Plast Surg 2004, [PMID 15545529](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15545529/)). The most common comparison in non-surgical skin tightening is between Thermage and Ultherapy. They are not interchangeable devices. They use different energy sources, they heat different layers of tissue, they produce different clinical results, and they are appropriate in different patient profiles. The decision between them, or whether to do both, is a clinical question, not a marketing one, and the clinical evidence on each device sits in different parts of the dermatology and plastic surgery literature. ### The core mechanical difference Thermage uses monopolar capacitive radiofrequency. The energy is electrical, it warms tissue by oscillating polar molecules in an alternating electric field, and at therapeutic settings it heats the dermal layer of the skin (Fritz, Counters & Zelickson, 2004; Dover & Zelickson, 2007). Ultherapy uses microfocused ultrasound with visualization, abbreviated MFU-V. The energy is acoustic, it deposits focal heat at depths set by the transducer (1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 mm), and the deepest setting can place that energy into the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (the SMAS), the fibrous layer a plastic surgeon mobilizes during a facelift. The first published rater-blinded cohort on the Ultherapy mechanism (Alam et al., 2010) established the clinical effect on facial and neck skin; subsequent Korean cohorts confirmed comparable effect in Asian skin (Suh et al., 2011). Figure: Where each device deposits energy. Facial skin cross-section with depth in millimeters. Thermage produces a broader RF heating field through the dermis. Ultherapy Prime uses 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 mm transducers; only its deepest 4.5 mm setting is marked here. The treatment planes can overlap. ### Side-by-side comparison Side-by-side comparison of Thermage FLX and Ultherapy | Property | Thermage FLX | Ultherapy | | --- | --- | --- | | Energy | Monopolar capacitive RF | Microfocused ultrasound (MFU-V) | | Target layer | Dermis | 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 mm focal planes; deepest setting can reach SMAS | | Primary effect | Skin tightening, firmness | Lifting from below | | Body areas | Face, neck, abdomen, arms, knees, thighs | US PRIME labeling includes upper arms and abdomen; confirm local availability | | Visualization | No (impedance feedback via AccuREP) | Yes (real-time ultrasound image) | | Sessions | Usually one per area | Usually one per area | | Duration of result | Variable; no universal fixed duration | Variable; no universal fixed duration | ### Anatomy and treatment planning Age alone does not determine the device. A person with predominantly dermal laxity or a skin-firmness concern may discuss monopolar RF, while a person whose examination supports treatment at one or more MFU-V focal planes may discuss Ultherapy. Either pattern can occur at different ages, and neither can be diagnosed from a marketing table. The examination should consider skin thickness, the location and degree of laxity, prior procedures, tissue volume and treatment goals. Ultherapy is not only a 4.5 mm SMAS treatment: its 1.5 and 3.0 mm transducers also create focal thermal coagulation points at shallower planes. [Ultherapy PRIME also has specified body indications in its current US labeling](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf25/K250418.pdf), including upper-arm and abdominal laxity. Suitability, Korean indications and available clinic protocols must be assessed by treatment area. ### When to combine Thermage and Ultherapy Combination is not automatic. Because the energy patterns and treated planes can overlap, the clinician must decide whether using both adds a distinct benefit for the individual rather than duplicating treatment. Published evidence for each device does not by itself prove that a combined protocol is superior. Combining is a clinical decision, not a default. It is appropriate when the laxity profile shows both layers contributing to the result the patient wants; it is not appropriate when one layer dominates and the second device would add cost without adding clinical value. Where HIFU fits beside these two devices is compared in [Delight Dermatology's HIFU, Ultherapy and Thermage guide](https://hifuseoul.com/guides/hifu-vs-ultherapy-vs-thermage/). ### What neither device does Neither device produces a permanent result. Neither replaces a surgical lift when laxity is severe. Neither adds volume like filler or reduces muscle activity like botulinum toxin. ### Published references 1. Alam M, White LE, Martin N, Witherspoon J, Yoo S, West DP. Ultrasound tightening of facial and neck skin: a rater-blinded prospective cohort study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2010;62(2):262-269. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20115948/) 2. Suh DH, Shin MK, Lee SJ, Rho JH, Lee MH, Kim NI, Song KY. Intense focused ultrasound tightening in Asian skin: clinical and pathologic results. Dermatologic Surgery. 2011;37(11):1595-1602. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21806707/) 3. Dover JS, Zelickson B; 14-Physician Multispecialty Consensus Panel. Results of a survey of 5,700 patient monopolar radiofrequency facial skin tightening treatments. Dermatologic Surgery. 2007;33(8):900-907. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17661932/) 4. Fritz M, Counters JT, Zelickson BD. Radiofrequency treatment for middle and lower face laxity. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 2004;6(6):370-373. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15545529/) ## Thermage vs XERF: What US Records Actually Show Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-vs-xerf/ Updated: 2026-10-18 Thermage FLX and XERF are both monopolar radiofrequency systems, but their public US records are not interchangeable. Thermage FLX's K170758 summary lists 6.78 MHz and includes non-invasive wrinkle indications. XERF's K251327 summary lists 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz, while its indication is limited to electrocoagulation and hemostasis. The XERF 510(k) included no clinical tests, and an open FDA Class II recall currently applies to specified EFFECTOR 60 units. These facts do not establish which system would produce a better cosmetic result for one person. Figure: Editorial comparison of the 6.78 megahertz frequency listed for Thermage FLX and the 6.78 plus 2 megahertz frequencies listed for XERF A useful comparison starts with the exact documents, then separates what those documents show from what they leave unanswered. Frequency, tip design, power, pulse pattern, cooling, skin contact and the treatment plan all affect energy delivery. A label such as "dual frequency" cannot by itself tell a patient the treatment depth, comfort or likely result. ### Documented technical differences FDA's [K170758 Thermage FLX summary](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf) describes a 6.78 MHz monopolar RF system. It says the system delivers RF energy while conductively cooling the epidermis, monitors skin contact and tunes energy across a range of impedances. Its listed components include the console, handpiece, treatment tip and return pad. FDA's [K251327 XERF summary](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf25/K251327.pdf) describes a monopolar RF system with 2 MHz and 6.78 MHz output, 12 active electrode-tip types and a return pad. Its comparison table names Thermage FLX as the predicate device and truSculpt iD as a reference device. That predicate relationship is regulatory context, not a finding that the two systems have the same settings or cosmetic outcomes. FDA record comparison | Record detail | Thermage FLX | XERF | | --- | --- | --- | | US record | [K170758 · 2017](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf) | [K251327 · 2025](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf25/K251327.pdf) | | RF type | Monopolar RF | Monopolar RF | | Listed frequencies | 6.78 MHz | 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz | | Submitted clinical tests | Nonclinical summary | None in the 510(k) submission | ### The US indications are not the same K170758 lists Thermage FLX's RF-only components for dermatologic and general surgical electrocoagulation and hemostasis, non-invasive treatment of periorbital wrinkles and rhytids including the upper and lower eyelids, and non-invasive treatment of wrinkles and rhytids. The summary contains additional indications for simultaneous RF and vibration. K251327 gives XERF one indication: dermatologic and general surgical procedures for electrocoagulation and hemostasis. The record does not list skin tightening, facial lifting or wrinkle treatment as a US indication. Calling the device "FDA-cleared for skin tightening" would therefore exceed the cited 510(k). This is a statement about the wording of that US record; it does not determine authorization or permitted claims in Korea. ### What 510(k) substantial equivalence does not prove A 510(k) decision means FDA found the device substantially equivalent to legally marketed predicates for the stated purpose. It is not premarket approval and is not a superiority award. K251327 says no clinical tests were included in the submission. Its performance section summarizes electrical, software, biocompatibility and thermal testing, including ex vivo tissue work and a comparison of temperature-time curves at 3 mm under standardized conditions. That nonclinical comparison does not tell a prospective patient that XERF and Thermage will produce equal results, or that one will be deeper, safer, more comfortable or longer lasting. It also does not compare individual treatment plans, operators or patient anatomy. ### What later XERF studies add—and what they do not A 2025 [computational and histologic study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41315066/) compared 6.78 MHz, 2 MHz and sequential dual-frequency RF using modeling and porcine tissue. Several authors listed affiliations with Cynosure Lutronic. The work can inform a mechanism hypothesis, but animal tissue and computer models do not establish human cosmetic superiority over Thermage. A 2026 [prospective multicenter study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41930066/) followed 39 subjects who received two dual-frequency RF sessions and reported short-term assessments at 30 and 90 days. Cynosure Lutronic provided the device, consumables and a modest research grant. The study had no Thermage arm and does not establish a one-session comparison, relative durability or which system is better for an individual. Its authors concluded that the approach supports further evaluation. ### Current FDA recall: check the exact unit Status checked October 7, 2026 KST FDA's record for recall Z-0146-2026 is open and classified as Class II. It applies to specified XERF EFFECTOR 60 catalog numbers and serial or lot identifiers, not every XERF unit. Follow the current official record rather than a copied list when checking a device. The [official FDA recall record](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfres/res.cfm?id=216122) identifies catalog numbers 1101210000, 1101210100 and 1101210200, with serial or lot identifiers MP60J25C02, MP60J25G05, MP60J25G06, MP60J25H03 and MP60J25H01. It covers units manufactured from April 1 through August 20, 2025. The record lists worldwide distribution including South Korea. FDA records the manufacturer's reason as manufacturing defects in that date range that can, on rare occasions, result in adverse events. The action entry says an urgent field-safety notice titled "XERF Tips" told consignees to stop using affected devices and return all affected units. The record was last updated October 5, 2026 and says the recall remains open. Recall status and identifiers can change, so the linked FDA page is the current source. ### Questions that make the comparison useful - What exact system, handpiece and tip are being proposed? - If XERF is proposed, what are the catalog and serial identifiers, and are they in the current recall scope? - What US or Korean indication is being discussed, and which document supports it? - How were the treatment area, settings, passes and comfort measures chosen? - What evidence applies to this plan, and what remains uncertain about duration and adverse effects? A device name does not replace that discussion. For Thermage FLX mechanism, candidacy and recovery information, start with [what Thermage is](https://thermage-seoul.com/what-is-thermage/). [One clinic's device notes](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/thermage-seoul/#procedure-devices) list the Thermage FLX generation and tip it uses. ### Common questions ### Is XERF FDA-cleared for skin tightening? K251327 lists XERF for dermatologic and general surgical procedures for electrocoagulation and hemostasis. That US 510(k) record does not list a skin-tightening or wrinkle indication. Later studies of dual-frequency monopolar RF are separate evidence and do not change the wording of the clearance. ### Does using Thermage FLX as a predicate mean XERF is the same treatment? No. Predicate use supports a US substantial-equivalence determination for the stated regulatory purpose. The summaries list different frequencies and different indications, and K251327 included no clinical tests. Predicate status does not prove equal or better cosmetic outcomes. ### Is every XERF unit recalled? The current FDA record identifies specific EFFECTOR 60 catalog numbers and five serial or lot identifiers manufactured from April 1 through August 20, 2025. It does not say every XERF unit is affected. The official record should be checked for current status and exact identifiers. ### Primary and indexed sources 1. [FDA K170758: Thermage FLX System, decision and 510(k) summary](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf). 2. [FDA K251327: XERF, decision and 510(k) summary](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf25/K251327.pdf). 3. [FDA recall Z-0146-2026: XERF EFFECTOR 60](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfres/res.cfm?id=216122). Status can change; check the live record. 4. [Ko et al. Computational modeling and histologic analysis of 6.78- and 2-MHz monopolar RF](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41315066/). Lasers in Medical Science, 2025. PMID 41315066. 5. [Weiss et al. Clinical outcomes following dual-frequency noninvasive monopolar RF](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41930066/). Cureus, 2026. PMID 41930066. ## Ultherapy vs Thermage: Questions to Ask Before Choosing Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/ultherapy-vs-thermage-consultation-questions/ Updated: 2026-10-18 Start with the change you want, the exact device and treatment area, then ask how the clinician will assess the response. A quote is useful only when the treatment plan and included care are clear. Figure: An amber-red glow spreads through cream and charcoal waves. ### Which product and treatment area are being proposed? Thermage FLX uses monopolar capacitive radiofrequency. Ultherapy Prime uses microfocused ultrasound with imaging and selectable 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm focal depths. Treatment planes can overlap; the energy source alone does not decide suitability. Ask for the model, tip or transducer, and the area to be treated. [Thermage FLX: K170758](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf) · [Ultherapy Prime: K250418](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf25/K250418.pdf) ### What did the studies measure? Fitzpatrick and colleagues followed 86 people for six months after one periorbital treatment with the earlier ThermaCool TC System. They measured wrinkle scores, brow position, satisfaction and adverse effects. Blinded photograph scores and treating-physician assessments differed. [Fitzpatrick et al., 2003](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14571447/) Alam and colleagues evaluated 35 people in a prospective cohort using an investigational ultrasound device. The main assessments compared baseline and day-90 photographs and measured brow elevation. The authors could not quantify lower-face tightening because that area lacked fixed anatomical landmarks. [Alam et al., 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20115948/) These were separate studies with different methods and earlier devices, not a head-to-head trial of FLX and Prime. Their follow-up periods do not establish a universal result duration or show which current device will suit an individual. Figure: Cream and charcoal layers curve around an orange-red band on the right. ### Questions to bring to the assessment - Which finding on examination matches my main concern? - How do my previous treatments, implants, medicines and current skin condition affect the plan? - What change will we measure, with which photographs or scale, and when will we review it? - What risks, recovery instructions and follow-up contact arrangements apply to the proposed area? Figure: Orange arcs hover above layered waves with a glowing red center. ### What makes two quotes comparable? Request the same treatment area and a written breakdown of the device, treatment quantity, number of sessions, comfort measures, follow-up and taxes. Ultrasound lines and RF pulses describe different delivery systems; matching their counts does not make two plans equivalent. For an Ultherapy quote, confirm the transducers, planned lines and area coverage. See [what changes an Ultherapy quote in Seoul](https://hifuseoul.com/guides/ultherapy-price-seoul/). For a Thermage quote, confirm the tip, planned REPs and whether the quote is for one session or a package. See [how 300, 600 and 900 REP plans are priced](https://hifuseoul.com/guides/thermage-price-seoul/). ### Frequently asked questions ### Do these studies show whether Ultherapy or Thermage is better? No. They studied different groups, devices and outcomes. A brow-position measurement and a wrinkle score cannot be treated as the same outcome. ### Does six months of follow-up mean the result lasts six months? No. Follow-up describes the observation period. It does not establish when an individual result will disappear or when another treatment is needed. ### What should I confirm before accepting a quote? Confirm the exact device, area, tip or transducers, planned treatment quantity, session count, included care and total cost. Ask how the clinician will assess the response before recommending any further session. ### Published references 1. Fitzpatrick R, et al. Multicenter study of noninvasive radiofrequency for periorbital tissue tightening. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2003;33(4):232-242. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14571447/) 2. Alam M, et al. Ultrasound tightening of facial and neck skin: a rater-blinded prospective cohort study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2010;62(2):262-269. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20115948/) 3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Thermage FLX System: K170758. 510(k) summary. 2017. [FDA 510(k) record](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf) 4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ulthera System (UC-1 and PRIME): K250418. 510(k) summary. 2025. [FDA 510(k) record](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf25/K250418.pdf) ## How to Verify a Genuine Thermage Tip in Korea Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/verify-genuine-thermage-tip-korea/ Updated: 2026-10-18 If you want to verify a genuine Thermage tip in Korea, use Solta Medical Korea's own sticker and registration pages. Its guide says to check the authorized genuine tip before treatment, scan the sticker on a phone after removing two protective layers, and complete the requested information. A separate registration page accepts a six- or 12-digit number provided after treatment. Figure: A blank phone, card and unbranded package The short version - Use only the official Solta Medical Korea pages linked below. - Check the tip before treatment, then follow the sticker sequence on a phone. - Use the post-treatment six- or 12-digit number on the official registration page. ### What to check before treatment Solta Medical Korea's [official genuine-tip guide](https://www.thermage.co.kr/ko/authenticity/genuine-tip) tells customers to confirm before treatment that the tip is an authorized genuine tip. That is the point to ask to see the exact sticker associated with your session. ### The official sticker and mobile sequence Follow the manufacturer’s sticker and registration steps. 1. Remove the silver hologram protective sticker carefully. The guide warns that its adhesive can lift the purple double-layer sticker at the same time, so check that the QR-code sticker remains visible. 2. Remove the purple double-layer sticker. 3. Scan the authenticity-number QR code with a mobile camera. The official guide says a computer cannot perform the QR scan; mobile supports both scanning and direct entry. 4. Enter the additional information requested by the official page to finish. Open the [official instructions](https://www.thermage.co.kr/ko/authenticity/genuine-tip) on the phone you plan to use. ### After treatment: enter the issued code Solta Medical Korea's [official registration page](https://www.thermage.co.kr/certify) asks for a six- or 12-digit authenticity number provided after treatment. It also says the attached QR code can be photographed for mobile verification. The page identifies this as a Korean authenticity system and notes that the two code lengths coexist during a sticker transition period. ### If the code does not register First confirm that you are on the official thermage.co.kr domain, that the number has six or 12 digits, and that you have not mistaken a sticker character for a digit. On mobile, try the direct-entry option if the camera does not read the QR code. Ask the treating clinic to clarify which sticker and code belong to your session. A failed first attempt alone does not establish that a tip is counterfeit; keep the question unresolved until the official workflow or Solta Medical Korea clarifies it. ### Common questions ### Can I scan the Thermage authenticity QR code on a computer? Solta Medical Korea says QR scanning is not available on a computer. A mobile phone can scan the QR code or use direct code entry. ### When is the six- or 12-digit Thermage code entered? The official Korean registration page asks for a six- or 12-digit authenticity number provided after treatment. Its separate genuine-tip guide tells customers to check the authorized genuine tip before treatment. ### Does a code result prove that a particular clinic always uses genuine tips? No. The check applies to the submitted code only. ### Official sources Use the current instructions on Solta Medical Korea's official domain when checking a sticker or code. The workflow can change, so follow the wording shown on the official pages at the time of your check. - [Genuine-tip sticker and mobile QR instructions](https://www.thermage.co.kr/ko/authenticity/genuine-tip) - [Six- or 12-digit authenticity registration](https://www.thermage.co.kr/certify) ## What is Thermage? Monopolar RF Technology Explained Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/what-is-thermage/ Updated: 2026-10-18 Thermage FLX is a fourth-generation non-invasive skin-tightening device manufactured by Solta Medical (Bausch Health) that delivers monopolar capacitive radiofrequency to heat the dermis without a single fixed focal depth, inducing collagen remodeling. The Thermage platform received periorbital clearance in 2002; Thermage FLX received clearance in 2017 (K170758). FLX introduced AccuREP and a redesigned vibrating handpiece. CPT already included vibration for comfort. Clinical evidence at a glance - Survey of 5,700 treatments reported by 14 physicians of monopolar RF facial tightening (Dover & Zelickson, Dermatol Surg 2007, [PMID 17661932](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17661932/)). - Non-ablative RF on Asian skin showed measurable laxity improvement (Kushikata et al., Lasers Surg Med 2005, [PMID 15704167](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15704167/)). - Manufacturer: Solta Medical (Bausch Health). Thermage platform periorbital clearance: 2002. Thermage FLX clearance: K170758, September 22, 2017. Key Thermage FLX device facts at a glance | Specification | Detail | | --- | --- | | Device | Thermage FLX (4th generation) | | Manufacturer | Solta Medical (Bausch Health) | | Energy | Monopolar capacitive radiofrequency | | Target layer | Dermal RF heating field; no single fixed focal depth | | Control system | AccuREP pulse-by-pulse impedance feedback | | Comfort feature | Vibrating handpiece | | Epidermal protection | Cryogen spray cooling | | FDA clearance | Thermage platform periorbital clearance: 2002. Thermage FLX: K170758, September 22, 2017. | | Result onset | Gradual; timing varies across studies and patients | | Result duration | Variable; no universal fixed duration is established | | Tip families | Face tips, Eye Tip (periorbital), Body tip | Thermage is a non-invasive skin-tightening treatment that uses monopolar capacitive radiofrequency (RF) to deliver controlled heat into the dermis. It is manufactured by Solta Medical, a Bausch Health company, and has been continuously developed since the platform received FDA clearance for periorbital wrinkles in 2002. The current generation is Thermage FLX, the fourth iteration of the platform. ### How monopolar capacitive RF actually works Radiofrequency energy at therapeutic settings warms tissue by oscillating polar molecules, primarily water, in a fast alternating electric field. In a monopolar configuration there is a single active electrode at the treatment tip and a separate return electrode elsewhere on the body; current passes through the tissue between them. The capacitive coupling in Thermage means the tip itself does not contact tissue with bare metal; energy is delivered through a dielectric layer, which produces a more uniform heating profile in the dermis than direct conductive contact. A cryogen spray cools the epidermis on each pulse so that the heat is concentrated in the deeper layer, not at the surface. Figure: Where each device deposits energy. Facial skin cross-section with depth in millimeters. Thermage produces a broader RF heating field through the dermis. Ultherapy Prime has 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm transducers; only the deepest 4.5 mm focal setting is marked. Treatment planes can overlap and vary by anatomy. The clinical target is the reticular dermis, a layer rich in fibroblasts and the collagen scaffolding that gives skin its firmness. Heating this layer to a controlled temperature range triggers two effects: an immediate contraction of existing collagen fibers and, over the following months, a slow remodeling response in which fibroblasts lay down new, organized collagen. The visible result, a firmer and slightly tighter surface, develops over three to six months instead of appearing on the day. The remodeling timeline and the collagen response have been characterized in the peer-reviewed literature on monopolar RF since the mid-2000s (Dover & Zelickson, 2007; Sukal & Geronemus, 2008; Lolis & Goldberg, 2012). Figure: Pale circles rise above cream and charcoal waves surrounding a red-orange glow. ### The Thermage FLX generation: what is new FLX introduced AccuREP technology, which measures tissue impedance and adjusts energy delivery, and a redesigned vibrating handpiece. CPT already included vibration intended to support treatment comfort. Discomfort and pain-relief needs vary. ### FDA clearance history The Thermage platform received periorbital-wrinkle clearance in 2002. [Thermage FLX received FDA 510(k) clearance K170758 on September 22, 2017](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf). Eyelid treatment requires the dedicated protocol, appropriate plastic ocular shields and the manufacturer’s restrictions on vibration. ### Tip families: face, eye, body Thermage is delivered through interchangeable tips. The face tips are used on cheeks, jawline, lower face and neck. The Eye Tip, smaller and contoured for the orbital rim, is used for upper and lower eyelid skin and the periorbital area; this is what patients usually mean when they ask about "Eye Thermage". See [Delight Dermatology's Eye Thermage procedure detail](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/eye-thermage-seoul/) for the specific eye-area protocol. The body tip is larger, designed for higher pulse counts per session, and is used for the abdomen, inner arms, knees, thighs and similar areas where the treatment surface is broad. Tip choice is part of the consultation plan because it determines tissue depth, total pulse count and the cost band. Before treatment, read [how to verify a genuine Thermage tip in Korea](https://thermage-seoul.com/verify-genuine-thermage-tip-korea/). If you are comparing newer monopolar RF platforms, the separate [Thermage FLX vs XERF guide](https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-vs-xerf/) distinguishes their US technical records, indications, evidence limits and the current affected-unit XERF recall. ### What Thermage does well, and what it does not Thermage produces a measured improvement in dermal firmness and a modest tightening effect, consistent with the response documented in monopolar RF cohorts on Asian skin (Kushikata et al., 2005). It does not eliminate wrinkles in the way a filler does, and it does not lift sagging tissue in the way a thread or a surgical procedure does; those are different problems with different solutions. The result is not permanent, and published studies do not establish a fixed maintenance interval for every patient. Follow-up depends on the measured response, original laxity profile and factors such as photoaging exposure. ### How it differs from Ultherapy Patients often weigh Thermage against Ultherapy, the microfocused-ultrasound device. Their energy patterns differ, but the depth comparison is not simply dermis versus SMAS. Ultherapy Prime has 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm transducers; its deepest setting can reach the SMAS and its shallower focal planes can overlap dermal RF treatment planes. The full comparison, including when combination may be considered, is on the [Thermage vs Ultherapy](https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-vs-ultherapy/) page. How radiofrequency and ultrasound heat tissue differently is explained in [a plain-language explainer of the two energies](https://hifuseoul.com/guides/thermage-vs-ultherapy-seoul/). ### Thermage results: what the evidence can and cannot show ### What outcomes were measured, and when? Fitzpatrick and colleagues followed 86 people for six months after one periorbital treatment with the earlier ThermaCool TC System. They measured wrinkle scores, brow position, satisfaction and adverse effects. Blinded photograph scores and treating-physician assessments differed. [Fitzpatrick et al., 2003](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14571447/) The study assessed the eye area with an earlier device. Different assessment methods produced different findings, and individual responses varied. Six months of observation does not establish a universal peak, duration or retreatment interval for current FLX treatment. [How one clinic reviews change over the following months](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/thermage-seoul/#procedure-timeline) ### Published references 1. Fitzpatrick R, et al. Multicenter study of noninvasive radiofrequency for periorbital tissue tightening. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2003;33(4):232-242. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14571447/) 2. Dover JS, Zelickson B; 14-Physician Multispecialty Consensus Panel. Results of a survey of 5,700 patient monopolar radiofrequency facial skin tightening treatments: assessment of a low-energy multiple-pass technique leading to a clinical end point algorithm. Dermatologic Surgery. 2007;33(8):900-907. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17661932/) 3. Sukal SA, Geronemus RG. Thermage: the nonablative radiofrequency for rejuvenation. Clinics in Dermatology. 2008;26(6):602-607. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18940540/) 4. Lolis MS, Goldberg DJ. Radiofrequency in cosmetic dermatology: a review. Dermatologic Surgery. 2012;38(11):1765-1776. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22913399/) 5. Kushikata N, Negishi K, Tezuka Y, Takeuchi K, Wakamatsu S. Non-ablative skin tightening with radiofrequency in Asian skin. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2005;36(2):92-97. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15704167/) ## Is XTherma the Same as Thermage? Reading the 510(k), GUDID and Trial Records Source: https://thermage-seoul.com/xtherma-vs-thermage/ Updated: 2026-10-24 No. XTherma is not a Thermage device. In the US device-identifier database AccessGUDID, XTHERMA is the brand name on records filed under 510(k) K232992, whose device name is 10THERMA and whose submitter is Tentech Inc. of Seoul; Thermage FLX is Solta Medical's system under K170758. The 10THERMA summary names Thermage FLX as its primary predicate, lists the same 6.78 MHz output and 400 W maximum average power for both, and states that no clinical studies were performed for the submission. Both summaries list cryogen, each for its own system. A Korean trial comparing the two devices directly enrolled 80 people and was completed in January 2025. Before a session, confirm which system, tip and pulse count are planned. Figure: Timeline of public records from 2017 to 2026: the Thermage FLX 510(k) in 2017, the 10THERMA 510(k) in December 2023, the head-to-head trial from May 2024 to January 2025, XTHERMA device-identifier records in June 2024 and February 2026, the 10THERMA pilot study in March 2025 and the trial registry posting in March 2026 ### Where the name XTherma comes from The US device-identifier database AccessGUDID holds a record for device identifier [08809709380466](https://accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/08809709380466) with the brand name XTHERMA, model XTHERMA-H/P and company TENTECH Inc. Its device description begins "10THERMA is a High-Frequency Electrosurgical Unit (ESU)", and its premarket submission field reads K232992. The record was published on June 25, 2024. A second record, [08809709380510](https://accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/08809709380510), published on February 27, 2026, gives the brand name as "10THERMA / XTHERMA" for a tip with model number TIP TMFT4.0-900/ XMFT4.0-900. [K232992](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf23/K232992.pdf) is the 510(k) record for 10THERMA, model TMSY02. Its submitter is Tentech Inc., with an address in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and FDA's letter in the record is dated December 20, 2023. XTherma and 10THERMA therefore lead to the same record, and that record names a different company from Thermage FLX, which Solta Medical submitted under [K170758](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf) with a letter dated September 22, 2017. ### What the two 510(k) summaries list side by side The comparison table in the 10THERMA summary names the Thermage FLX System, K170758, as its primary predicate device. Its rows give the same entries for both: 6.78 MHz output frequency, a monopolar electrode, 400 W maximum average power, manual or footswitch operation and an LCD touchscreen interface. The Thermage FLX summary lists the same frequency, power and operating modes in its own table. Both systems treat through a disposable tip with cryogen cooling. The 10THERMA summary lists a main body with a touch LCD monitor, a handpiece, monopolar electrodes (handpiece tips), return pads, coupling fluid, cooling gas (cryogen), a power cable and a foot switch, and names the electrodes, return pads and coupling fluid as single-use. The Thermage FLX summary lists a console, handpiece and treatment tip, with a return pad, skin marking grid paper, coupling media, cryogen and an optional footswitch used in each treatment, and describes RF energy delivered "while conductively cooling the epidermis". Figure: What the two 510(k) summaries list. Side-by-side entries from the two FDA 510(k) summaries, each describing its own system. Both list 6.78 megahertz output, 400 watts maximum average power, manual or footswitch operation, cryogen and nonclinical test summaries. The submitters differ: Tentech of Seoul for 10THERMA and Solta Medical for Thermage FLX. Sources: FDA 510(k) summaries K232992 and K170758. Figure: Two lists of system parts. 10THERMA, K232992: main body with touch LCD monitor, handpiece, monopolar electrodes (tips), return pads, coupling fluid, cooling gas (cryogen), power cable and foot switch, with the electrodes, return pads and coupling fluid marked single-use. Thermage FLX, K170758: console, handpiece and treatment tip, then return pad, skin marking grid paper, coupling media, cryogen and optional footswitch used in each treatment; both cryogen entries are outlined Both summaries list cryogen: cooling gas for 10THERMA, and cryogen among the Thermage FLX accessories. Both summaries describe nonclinical testing, such as electrical safety, software and biocompatibility. The 10THERMA summary adds: "No clinical studies were considered necessary and performed." ### Why matching numbers do not make the same treatment A shared frequency and power ceiling describe the generator, not what a person receives. In monopolar RF, current passes through the body from a single active electrode at the tip to a distant return electrode, and tissue resistance turns it into heat. The Thermage FLX summary describes RF tuning across a range of impedances, delivered "through single and multiple pass stamping motions of the tip". The tip and the plan change the treatment. In the registered head-to-head trial, the face tip size reads 5.0 cm² in the 10THERMA entry and 4.0 cm² in the Thermage FLX entry. Published protocols also specify energy and pulse counts: a [Thermage eyelid study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41293324/) used 0.25–0.45 joules per pulse and about 200 pulses per eyelid, adjusted to tolerance, and a 10THERMA pilot study gave 600 shots, 50 of them around the eyes. Figure: Bar chart of face tip size in the NCT07467811 trial entries, 5.0 cm² for 10THERMA and 4.0 cm² for Thermage FLX, above two panels: about 200 pulses per eyelid at 0.25–0.45 joules per pulse in a Thermage eyelid study, and 600 shots in all, 50 of them around the eyes, in a 10THERMA pilot study Tip areas from the trial record and pulse counts from two published protocols. ### The trial that compared them directly Tentech's [ClinicalTrials.gov record NCT07467811](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07467811) describes a multicenter, randomized noninferiority trial in which the participants did not know which device they received. It enrolled 80 adults aged 30 to 65 whose crow's feet and cheek lines scored 1 to 2 at entry, at Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital, Severance Hospital and Asan Medical Center. One group was treated with 10THERMA and the other with Thermage FLX. Crow's feet and cheek lines were scored on 0-to-4 scales at baseline, week 4 and week 16: an independent evaluator used photographs of the treated area, and the examining investigator scored by direct observation. Figure: How the head-to-head trial was set up. Design of trial NCT07467811 as registered: 80 adults aged 30 to 65 with crow’s feet and cheek-line scores of 1 to 2, randomized, with participants masked, to 10THERMA or Thermage FLX; the face tip size reads 5.0 square centimeters in the 10THERMA entry and 4.0 in the Thermage FLX entry. Crow’s feet and cheek lines were scored at baseline, week 4 and week 16. The trial started on May 10, 2024, was completed on January 7, 2025 and was first posted on March 12, 2026. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov record NCT07467811. The trial started on May 10, 2024 and was completed on January 7, 2025. The record was first posted on March 12, 2026, and on October 24, 2026 it carried no results section, so the registry does not show how the two groups compared. A separate [2025 multicenter pilot study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40068225/) treated 13 participants aged 35 to 62 once with a monopolar RF device with a 5 cm² tip; a [Dermatology Times report of the paper](https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/novel-monopolar-radiofrequency-device-is-effective-and-safe-for-facial-wrinkles) identifies the device as 10THERMA at 6.78 MHz. Wrinkle scores around the eyes and on the cheeks were lower than at baseline at weeks 4 and 16, and no adverse events were observed during follow-up. The report lists the small sample, the lack of comparative devices and the use of the large 5 cm² tip on the eyelids as the study's limitations. ### Questions to ask when XTherma is offered - Which system is on the console: Thermage FLX, 10THERMA or XTherma, or another monopolar RF device? - Which tip will be used, what is its area and pulse count, and can you see it unopened? - How much energy per pulse, how many pulses and over which areas? - Which studies does the clinic rely on for that device and that area? For Thermage FLX, the guide to [checking a genuine Thermage tip in Korea](https://thermage-seoul.com/verify-genuine-thermage-tip-korea/) lists what to look at before the session. The [Thermage and XERF record comparison](https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-vs-xerf/) reads another monopolar system's records the same way, and [what Thermage is](https://thermage-seoul.com/what-is-thermage/) covers how the heating works. [One Seoul clinic's device and tip notes](https://hifuseoul.com/procedures/thermage-seoul/#procedure-devices) name the Thermage FLX generation and tip it uses, and the [guide to Thermage before-and-after studies](https://thermage-seoul.com/thermage-before-and-after/) covers when results were measured. ### Common questions ### Which records carry the XTherma name? Two AccessGUDID device-identifier records: one lists the brand name XTHERMA, and a later record for a tip lists "10THERMA / XTHERMA". Both point to one 510(k), K232992, whose device name is 10THERMA and whose submitter is Tentech Inc. ### Is XTherma a version of Thermage FLX? No. Thermage FLX is the Solta Medical system recorded under K170758. The 10THERMA summary names Thermage FLX as the predicate device it was compared with and lists matching frequency and power entries, but 10THERMA is a separate product from a separate company. ### What should I check before an XTherma or Thermage session? Ask which system and tip will be used, the tip area and pulse count, the planned energy and treatment areas, and which studies the clinic relies on for that device. For Thermage FLX, ask to see the sealed tip before treatment starts. ### Published references 1. [FDA 510(k) K232992: 10THERMA, letter, indications for use and 510(k) summary](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf23/K232992.pdf), letter dated December 20, 2023. 2. [FDA 510(k) K170758: Thermage FLX System, letter, indications for use and 510(k) summary](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf), letter dated September 22, 2017. 3. [AccessGUDID device identifier 08809709380466: XTHERMA, TENTECH Inc.](https://accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/08809709380466), published June 25, 2024. 4. [AccessGUDID device identifier 08809709380510: 10THERMA / XTHERMA tip](https://accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/08809709380510), published February 27, 2026. 5. [ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07467811: monopolar radiofrequency device for periorbital and cheek wrinkles, noninferiority trial](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07467811), first posted March 12, 2026; checked October 24, 2026. 6. [Yang HJ, et al. A multicenter pilot study of the effectiveness and safety of a monopolar radiofrequency device for improving periorbital and facial fine wrinkles](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40068225/). Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2025;36(1):2469633. PMID 40068225. 7. [Dermatology Times report on the Yang et al. pilot study](https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/novel-monopolar-radiofrequency-device-is-effective-and-safe-for-facial-wrinkles), March 19, 2025. 8. [Suh DH, et al. A Deep Learning-Based Automated Scoring System for Predicting Eyelid Rejuvenation Outcomes After Monopolar Radiofrequency Treatment](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41293324/). Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2025;18:3133-3138. PMID 41293324.